McGee decides to sign agent, leave Nevada early

3/29/2008 7:17 PM

By MARTIN GRIFFITH
Associated Press Writer

RENO, Nev. (AP) -Nevada sophomore Javale McGee, the top shot-blocker in the Western Athletic Conference this season, has decided to sign an agent and enter the NBA draft this year, the school said.

The 7-foot McGee averaged 2.8 blocks per game, along with 14 points and 7.4 rebounds.

Rhonda Lundin, director of media services for Nevada's athletic department, said a formal announcement of McGee's plans would be made at a Monday news conference.

``He intends to hire an agent and forfeit his final two seasons at Nevada,'' Lundin said, declining to elaborate.

Reno's KRNV-TV reported that McGee has hired agent Eugene Parker, who has represented Emmitt Smith, Deion Sanders and many other NFL players.

Earlier this month, Nevada coach Mark Fox said he was convinced McGee would make the right decision partly because of the advice he would get from his mother, former Southern California star Pam McGee.

``I think that if he does (leave early), that is his right to do that,'' the coach said at the time. ``He is a talented young man and he is a great person and he is a very good student.''

McGee's 92 blocks this season rank second on Nevada's career list, four behind the school-record of 96 set by Edgar Jones in 1977-78.

McGee was picked to the all-WAC second team and all-defensive team.

The Wolf Pack (21-12) closed the season with an 80-79 loss to Houston in the first round of the inaugural College Basketball Invitational tournament.

Nevada reached 20-plus wins for the fifth consecutive season and played in the previous four NCAA tournaments.